Google-Oracle trial over long-running Android dispute begins

The trial between Oracle and Google over the use Java software within the Android platform will begin in the US on Monday with the selection of the jury that will hear the dispute between the two technology giants.

The two firms have been at loggerheads over the issue for over a year, with Oracle claiming Google wilfully refused to seek out a licensing deal over the use of the technology, which it acquired in its $7.4bn purchase of Sun Microsystems.

"Oracle will prove at trial that Google deliberately chose to base its Android software platform on Java technology, seeking to develop and deploy Android rapidly and to capitalise on the large community of Java software developers," it said in its court filing last year.

"Google's documents confirm Google knew it needed a licence to do so, and when it could not get one on the terms it wanted, [...] Google chose to take its chances and push forward with Java, helping itself to Oracle's intellectual property without a licence."

Initially Oracle had requested damages as high as $2.6bn but this was later reduced and it is likely the firm will seek around $1bn in damages.

The two firms were asked to try and settle their differences amicably through discussions but this failed to achieve any results, resulting in a trial.

A defeat for Google could have a huge effect on its Android platform, which is already involved in several major lawsuits between rival firms, notably Microsoft, which has secured licensing deals with some of the major vendors using the platform, including Samsung.

Google also moved to purchase Motorola for $12.5bn in order to shore up its patent portfolio and protect Android in face of the threat of further litigation.